Watercolor and Ink Painting of Notre Dame with Bouquinistes

This is a framed watercolor and ink painting depicting a quintessential Parisian scene, featuring the Notre Dame Cathedral in the background and bouquinistes (booksellers) stalls along the Seine River in the foreground. The artwork is housed within a simple, dark brown wooden frame, possibly stained oak or mahogany, with a slightly recessed profile. There is a light tan mat board separating the artwork from the frame, suggesting it is under glass, although reflections obscure a clear view of the glass. The painting itself utilizes a muted color palette, primarily employing grays, browns, and faint washes of green and blue, with small accents of bolder colors like yellow and light blue for figures. The style is loose and impressionistic, characteristic of plein air sketches or quick studies, leveraging both watercolor for washes and ink for definition and detail. Notable features include the intricate architectural details of Notre Dame's twin towers and rose window, rendered with ink lines, contrasting with the more rustic appearance of the bouquiniste stalls filled with books. Human figures are depicted in a generalized manner, contributing to the bustling atmosphere of the scene. The visible condition suggests some age, with the paper appearing to have a slight, even yellowish patina indicative of time. There are no obvious tears or major damages visible through the frame. A signature, 'Hoffmann,' is clearly visible in the lower-left corner, along with the inscription 'Paris et Bouquinistes'. The craftsmanship is consistent with a skilled artist capturing a vibrant urban landscape, likely dating from the mid-20th century, given the style and common artistic depictions of this era. The framing appears period-appropriate for such an artwork.